Curb-box support



Feb. 26 153 124,,

I 11,484,699 V. E. BEAGLE cums BQX SUPPORT Filed Jan. 20. 1923 j n H 1 2 gwuewtoz:

Vidor 1E. B aug y attorney- Patented Feb. 2%, 19241.

STAES VICTOR E. BEAGLE, 0F ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

CURB-BOX SUPPORT.

Application filed January 20, 1923. Serial No. 613,961.

To all whom dz, may concern.

Be it known that VICTOR E. Bnaenn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alexandria, in the county of Alexandria and State of Virginia, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curb-Box Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial #594,505, filed October 14th, 1922, for curb box adapter.

It is an important purpose of the invention to provide a combined two-size cock and curb box support, adapted to firmly engage either of two regular sizes of cock principally used in municipal service connections.

The invention has for an object to provide means whereby service cocks in curb boxes may be securely positioned correctly with relation to the box, for ready operation of the T-handle by the usual key when inserted through the upper end of the box, and also to guard against damage to the service pipe by bearingof the curb box thereupon, and in other ways.

It is an important advantage of the invention that one support may be utilized to mount securely and firmly different sizes of cocks. Further, it enables the manufacture economically of a very durable and strong device at a low cost.

I am aware of attempts to provide satisfactory means of this character and it is an important object to overcome faults which have been found'in the few which have had any degree of demand on the market. In such device as that of Allison, Patent #436,011, there has been great difficulty in retaining the cocksupporting element in the box as it tends readily to sink below the box feet and away from the cock, allowing the latter to turn into inoperative position. It

has been the general practice of plumbers to rest the Allison device upon two bricks, but the bricks have frequently been found to have turned edgewise under the weight of the support, and to have permitted it to drop between them. My invention is of a character to overcome these difficulties, and is especially eflicient where soft mud is present in the bottom of the trench when a service line is being installed. As this condition is frequently present, this is an important advantage.

In my device at the same time, the curb box is prevented from turning 'so as to bring.

its legs against the pipe with the liability that vibration communicated from the pavement and otherwise would abrade the pipe, and perhaps loosen it in the cook or cause a leak or damage otherwise.

It is a source of constant and large expense in the operation of municipal water supply systems to excavate for the removal and replacement or readjustment of curb boxes on account of the abovementioned difficulties, and this expense is particularly onerous when expensive pavements require to be broken through and repaired in such work.

My invention is of value in obviating lia bility to the box by pressure of material used to fill the trench, which is a difficulty often experienced. Also it assists in assuring proper position of the box itself in vertical position.

My appliance is especially valuable in facilitating reconstruction work, as it incorporates means to prevent rusting on.

It is an especially important object of the invention to provide an appliance which is adapted readily to use with all makes of curb boxes in general use.

In such cases it is often the habit of the journeyman to unscrew the old pipe while working in a cellar or trench at a distance from the curb box, because of greater convenience in manipulating tools, then insert the new pipe and screw it home in the same Way. In such case the workman does not see the cock and is very apt to screw the pipe so tight that the cock is turned over, possibly being left upside down, placing the cock out of service and requiring a new excavation and readjustment after the installation job has been closed up. The practice last mentioned also involves liability of breaking olf the old pipe on the opposite side of the cock from the new pipe, especially if a lead pipe or wiped joint is involved. My device operates to oppose torque in the pipe tending to turn the cock, very effectively, and thus lessens damage on this account.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention may be found in the struo tural elements, their combination or arrangement, as may be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a top view of my support device;

Figure 2 is a cross section of trench in broken away Figure 5 is a fragmentary top view of a modification. 1

- There is illustrated a curb box 10, of a familiar type very largely used in the large cities of the United States, including a bot-.

tom section 11, and a top section 12, which is extensibly engaged thereon by means of the usual external threads on the bottom sectionand internal grooves in the upper section, indicated formally at 13. The box is shown set in a trench 14:, such as might be ordinarily dug for the laying of a service pipe' from a street main to a residence or other building. These trenches vary greatly in depth, and the box is adjusted to present its upper end flush. with a pavement, by screwingtheupper section upon the bottom section properly 'to attain the desired length.

The bottom section of the box is formed with an enlargement 15 at the lower. part, through which arch-like openings 16 are formed on opposite sides, leaving legs '17 intervening, at the bottom of which horizontal webs or foot flanges 18 are formed which arebraced by the diagonal reinforcing webs 19 at each side. The enlargement and arch-shaped openings in the box, provide a chamber and passage-way for the accommodation of a cut-off or service cook 20, and pipe which may lead thereto.

Beneath the cock and box there is set a support device'21, which comprises a pla'ni form plate 22, circular in the present instance and having a multiplicity of openings therethrough to lighten it and also to resist rotation on soft earth. Centrally upon this there is formed a box centering and cock.

, alining block or castle formed integrally with the plate. all of which may be cast readily. The block 2 1 is of castellated form with a very slight taper upward. It is provided with a central recess 2-1 of sufficient size to accommodate the body portion of.

element 27 thereinto, and also to make the device readily accommodate cocks varying sllghtly from standard. Two opposlte slots are of one size and the other two are of a differentwidth. Centrally in the bottom of the recess there is formed an opening 28'which serves the double function of drainingwater from the device in case a stop or waste cock is mounted therein, and also to engage the downwardly projecting nut 29 of a co'ckto prevent excessive longitudinal movement of the cock when resting in the slots 25.

It should be noted that the diameter of the block 2 1- at its base and adjacent the slots 25 is less than the diam'etrical distance between the legs 17 and between the slots and forming the outer side of the block there are sloping rib elements 30, which have broad outer faces concentric with the block, but located so as tofit snugly against and extend in overlapped relation with the legs 17 when therfianges 18 are set firmly upon the plate 22. In this way, the block is adapted to fit snugly within the box legs, butowing to the partial direct contact my support and the box will be prevented from rusting on in such degree as to prevent ready separation in case reconstruction should subsequently occur, thus permitting repeated use of the box and support.

In order to insure proper clearance between the service pipe and the sides of the openings 16, and also to insureproper position of the ribs 30 against the surfaces of the legs 17, and thus obviate'the necessity for a greater number of ribs, 1 provide on the plate 22 a short distance fromthe block two upwardly projected wedge-shaped lugs 31, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and-3, or more may be provided. These two are so spaced that they may be set within the two foot flanges 18 at one side of the curb box, or may lie at opposite sides of one flange 18, as de sired. They have their sides inclined so that when a box is presented downwardly over the device, if not accurately centered, the edges of the legs will engage the sloping sides of the lugs and be warded into proper position. As the large foot plate 22 isbetter adapted to resist rotation on the muddy bottom of a trench than the smaller flanges 18. the engagement of the bottombox section with my device will safeguard it against turning when the top section 12 of the box is rotated for adjustment of length, which might be found necessary. This, together with the fact that the foot plate 22 afifords a wide and stable footing for the box safeguards the pipe from being pressed downwardly by the upper edges of the openings 16 under sinking of the box, which isespecia'lly likely to happen with the ordinary boxes on account of the fact that they are frequently driven upon by vehicles, or have heavy objects rested thereon. Numerous instances of breakage of service pipes by pressure of the boxes thereon are encountered 1n the maintenance departments of municii ,asae es pal water works. It has been impracticable in curb boxes to utilize tie full area thereunder as the foundation for their support, ordinarily, because it is necessary to leave such a large opening in the bottom to permit presentation and adjustment of pipes.

In the use of the appliance, during or after building of the service line, the support device is adjusted with the cock rest in that set of slots 22 which it its licxagons snugly, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and i, the base being firmly tamped into the supporting earth, so that it will afford a secure foundation. The cock being properly positioned therein, and the pipe connected, the box may be put in place, as shown in Figure 1, being set snugly upon the plate after which the top section 12 is put in place and adjusted to the correct height. The trench may then be filled in the customary way, and it is an advantage of the device that liability of displacement of the box relatively to the cock incident to unequal pressures against the sides thereof, is removed by the functioning of my device. After a certain amount of the earth has been filled in around the lower part of the device, liability of tilting is opposed by the pressure of the earth upon the flanges 18 and my plate 22 in addition, and this is also guarded against by the fact that the wide foundation provided for the flanges 18 prevents them from sinking readily into the soft mud or clay of such trenches, as frequently encountered.

In ,municipal water systems ordinarily two sizes of cocks only are required for the greater part of the service lines. These two sizes vary in different systems according to the water pressure available. Thus, where a high pressure is present one-half inch or three-quarter inch cocks allow adequate service in the majority of cases. Where moderate pressure is present threequarter inch or one inch cocks are sufficient. There is need in many business districts of one inch and one inch and one-quarter (14,) inch cocks. Therefore, I make my support commercially in three sizes, the slots in which are one-half and three-quarter inches; three-quarter and one inch; and one inch and one and one-quarter inches respectively. This arrangement obviates the need of carrying large stocks of different sizes, one type being ordered in bulk for stock in the ordinary plant, with a few of other sizes for exceptional cases.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a very simple appliance is provided, adapted to be cast integrally, which may be employed with ordinary curb boxes to insure retention of the cock against becoming inclined against the side of the box, or otherwise, so as to prevent ready introduction of the key upon the handle of the cock, when it is desired to cut-off or turn-on water, and whereb an installation is safe uarded in other respects, as before noted.

The thickening of the parts adjacent the rest-s for the ends of the cock serves to insure equally secure support and erect positioning of the cock with allowance for longitudinal movement of the cock, due often to imperfections in manufacture, variations from standard size or to other causes.

It should be noted that the bottom of the device is provided with an annular recess concentric with the plate 22, and located medially of the walls of the castellated element (see big. a). This recess is so formed as to form a weakened part adjacent the side of the recess 2%, and permits the bottom of the recess to be readily knocked out with a hammer or other instrument, in case a cock is employed having a larger base than the simple form shown in Fig. :t. There are cocks having the same size and form in the body parts, but having very large nuts on v the bottom, in the use of which the knockout feature is of special advantage. There are also what are known in the trade as in verted cocks (a Mueller product) which have a very large base, making a very large opening desirable.

The curb box shown is a standard form which is produced by all manufacturers of plumbing devices and supplies, and is generally used in all the citi s for small. curb service. The use of my device to attain its full advantage requires no change in the style of this ordinary box, and therefore rep resents no necessity for modification in stock patterns, or in familiarizing the trade with special requirements in curb boxes.

What is claimed:

1. As an improved article of manufacture a cock and box support comprising a foot plate adapted to afford a base for curb boxes, a central circular projection thereon adapted to extend within a curb box set upon the plate for centering thereof, said projection being cent-rally recessed and laterally slotted to receive and support a cock, and lugs formed on the article to engage between leg parts of a curb box to position the box against relative rotation on the support.

2. An article as specified in claim 2 in which said lugs have inclined faces, positioned to engage parts at the sides of the openings of a curb box and ward the parts away from said slots.

3. As an improved article of manufacture a cock and box support comprising a foot plate adapted to afford a base for curb boxes, a central circular projection thereon adapted to extend within a curb box set upon the plate for centering thereof, said projection being centrally recessed and laterally slotted to receive and support a cook, a plurality of vertical rib elements formed on the periphery of the projection with intervening inset surfaces, the ribs being positioned to wedge snugly within the lower part of a curbbox whereby a limited contact is aftorded preventing excessive rusting on.

4. ,The article of claim 4 in which the projection is tapered upwardly and the ribs have a greater taper.

5. As an improved article of 'nianutacture, acock and curb box support comprising a foot plate a cock supporting body formed integrally and centrally on the plate, re-

cessed and shaped to support a cock and to fit snugly within the legs of a curb box set upon the plate, said body being tapered upwardly, and having a plurality of raised ribs-extending from top to bottom on the outer part of the body and having a greater taper than the body, and lugs on the article spaced to fit the foot flanges of a curb box at one side and having opposite faces presented tooppose the legs of a curb box and divergent from the paths out such legs when being positioned.

6. As an improved article of manufacture, a cock and box support comprising :1 castellated body having a plurality of pairs of opposite crenelles shaped to fit respective sizes of cock ends and adaptable to different sizes by change of direction of the axis of the cock with respect to the support.

7. A device of the character described,

corn risin a base late. an inte 'ral castelb 1 2D lated body thereon of a size to fit snugly Within the legs of a curb box and having a plurality of pairs of alined crenelles shaped to fit snugly respective different sizes of nut-shaped cock ends, for supportthereof and retention in erect position.

8. In a device of the character described, a base plate adapted to receive the feet of a curb box thereon, a circular castellated body formed centrally andintegrally on the plate including a plurality of pairs of diametri- Cally opposite crenelles having aYform to fit snugly the under and-side tacesofthe hexagonal ends of curb cocks, and being of ditterent sizes in different pairs, whereby different sizes of cocks may be snugly sup ported and held erect by adjustment on re spective diameters or thecastellated body, a

curb box havin foot portions at on Josite sides with outer parts included within radii.

of less than ninety degrees, with respect to its vertical. axis, and lugs termed on the plate positioned to he between the alternae tire positions of the said outer parts of the, foot portions, tor allnement ofbox openings with supported cocks in either direction.

9. In a cock support of the character de-., scribed, a recessed ferrule element adapted.

to engage snugly within a curb box, and slotted atopposite sides to-support a cock; an, opening being formed in the bottom of the recess to receive the projecting lower part of a cock of a small size when resting. in the slots, to checlrlongitudinalmovement of the cock said bottom havlng an annular weakened part therearound whereby it may be knocked out to'accommodatea cock having a larger bottom portion.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. VICTOR E. BEAGLE. 

